“To be honest, things are hanging by a thread,” Alexander Dobrindt, a top negotiator for the Christian Social Union, the Bavarian sister party of Merkel’s Christian Democrats, said | Sean Gallup/Getty Images

German coalition talks ‘hanging by thread’

BERLIN — Angela Merkel’s prospects of forging a coalition government with the Greens and liberal Free Democrats face growing doubts, with the parties still far apart on a host of issues after a month of talks.

Negotiators reconvened Friday afternoon after missing a self-imposed Thursday deadline for reaching a preliminary agreement. Yet there was little optimism a deal could be reached quickly after Thursday’s tense, all-night negotiating round failed to produce any headway.

“To be honest, things are hanging by a thread,” Alexander Dobrindt, a top negotiator for the Christian Social Union, the Bavarian sister party of Merkel’s Christian Democrats, said on his way into Friday's session.

While the chancellor has continued to insist a deal is possible, the parties’ failure to record substantial progress after a month of talks has left many participants and outside observers pessimistic.

“We discussed two of the 100 remaining points and got stuck on the third,” a visibly fatigued Wolfgang Kubicki, a Free Democrat leader, said on his way into Friday’s round.

“It’s extremely important that we don’t see an expansion of migration,” — CSU leader Horst Seehofer

The parties remain divided across a spectrum of issues, from climate policy to migration, Europe and taxes.

Though negotiators refrained from setting a new deadline, they are under pressure to secure a preliminary consensus ahead of a Green party convention scheduled for November 25. The Greens need the convention’s approval in order to push forward with formal talks.

While the current round of negotiations is considered “exploratory,” the Greens’ procedural requirements have meant the discussions have been much more detailed than usual. If the parties can reach a preliminary deal that passes muster with the Green party's convention, the chances for securing a formal coalition agreement are high, analysts say.

Questions surrounding refugee policy have proved to be the most intractable in the talks. The Greens want to allow war refugees already in Germany to send for their family members at home, something the CSU firmly rejects.

“It’s extremely important that we don’t see an expansion of migration,” CSU leader Horst Seehofer said early Friday.

Bavarian complications

For the CSU, which faces a state election in Bavaria next fall, the refugee issue is non-negotiable. The party, which lost a significant chunk of its supporters to the far-right Alternative for Germany in September’s national election, fears a further erosion of its base if it doesn’t take a hard line on migration.

As important as joining the next government in Berlin is to the CSU, maintaining its dominance in Bavaria, where it has an absolute majority, is even more essential.

But so far the Greens, who have ceded some ground on climate-related issues, have refused to budge on refugees.

After emerging from the talks after 4 a.m., Green leader Katrin Göring-Eckardt stressed that despite making “painful” concessions, the Greens wanted to continue the dialogue.

Even so, it was clear after Thursday’s round that the atmosphere in the talks, particularly between the CSU and the Greens, has become increasingly tense.

Seehofer accused a Green official of making “false statements” about a power struggle within the CSU, calling on Green leaders to keep their people in line.

Another concern is that even if they do manage to strike a deal, the sniping between the parties would continue, leaving the government unstable.

Seehofer faces an internal challenge to his leadership, a reality that has further complicated the negotiations. The other parties worry that if Seehofer doesn’t survive the attempt to oust him, his successors may not honor whatever deal he strikes.

Another concern is that even if they do manage to strike a deal, the sniping between the parties would continue, leaving the government unstable.

It would be up to Merkel to keep the players in line, something she has failed to do during the negotiations. What critics say has been missing from the talks is a forceful presence from the chancellor. Most of the disputes on policy have been between the Free Democrats, the Greens and the CSU.

Merkel has tried to play the role of moderator in an effort to find compromises, instead of staking out her own hard positions. But that approach has left the talks adrift, some participants complain privately.

Merkel might be betting that the parties will eventually come together, rather than risk a new election. With the Social Democrats continuing to insist they wouldn’t entertain a grand coalition with the CDU and Merkel shying away from a minority government, a fresh election has become a real possibility.

More and more Germans appear prepared for that outcome. Nearly 70 percent said they would support another go at the ballot box if the talks fail, according to a poll released by German public television on Friday.

bc

Roland

A minority government can work just fine it’s far better then bending over to the Greens besides they are far better at being opposition then taking responsibility. Then suddenly their ideas come tumbling down to earth and they can’t deal with reality they need their safe space. Greens are like the party for the people who never grew up beyond the age of 12.

Posted on 11/17/17 | 5:45 PM CET

Alba

@Roland

Harsh, but true.

Posted on 11/17/17 | 5:59 PM CET

contango

memo to the fine people of germany:

1. bring up on espionage chargers the border line criminal, green commie coumbayas for conspiracy to destroy the western civilization

2 impeach merkel

save the west
grand comeback begins today

Posted on 11/17/17 | 6:16 PM CET

John Brown

“Most of the disputes on policy have been between the Free Democrats, the Greens and the CSU.”

Don’t the CDU have any principles or is governing al that matters ?

Posted on 11/17/17 | 7:03 PM CET

Roland

@Alba wasn’t that one genocidal woman saying that it was good if Germans were reduced to a minority in their own nation a Green ? Shows what kind of characters we are dealing with. I don’t understand how it’s illegal for anyone to speak so called “hate speech” in Germany. But it is perfectly fine to call for the destruction of the German nation and people.

Posted on 11/17/17 | 7:13 PM CET

bc

Is discussion about microphones included in coalition immigration talks ?

Stockholm police announced a plan to place hundreds of microphones in the Järva no-go zone area of Stockholm in order to automatically alert authorities to crimes in progress as they can identify screams and other sounds.

Posted on 11/17/17 | 8:27 PM CET

AfD

Merkel must send all refugees home.

Posted on 11/18/17 | 12:39 AM CET

Capt Europe

Angela Merkel is the leader of the free world!

Posted on 11/18/17 | 10:07 AM CET

Observer

Justabrit

@Observer
Angela Merkel is in a centre right party with conservative tendencies.
I don’t know what makes her a communist?
She has been democratically elected and rules the World’s 4th largest economy.
She is also one of the most respected politicians and the longest standing EU leader.
Merky is the leader of the free world.

Posted on 11/18/17 | 3:14 PM CET

bc

@Justabrit
She should be prosecuted for breaching ‘rule of law’ first as Bundestag Scientific Office has determined that Merkel’s decision to open borders to immigrants from all over the world had no legal grounds. Not mentioning other scandals tolerated for years under her reign like:
– dieselgate and collusion among car producers posing a threat to health and lives of millions of EU citizens,
– supporting authoritarian regime in Russia abusing human rights, oppressing opposition members and journalists, waging wars on neighbors and occupying foreign territories which is against EU principles and world community of democratic nations decisions:
“German foreign minister slams US sanctions against Russia”
“Angela Merkel has sharpened Germany’s attack on US plans to toughen American sanctions on Russia.”
– promoting increasing consumption of dirty fossil fuels imported to the EU from Russia by building Nordstream, Nordstream 2 natural gas pipelines and granting control over Opal pipeline to Gazprom against EU energy & climate protection policy (check WWF and ClientEarth NGOs statements concerning Nordstream 2),
– undermining several EU and NATO countries as well as Ukraine’s safety by building with Russia Nordstream, Nordstream 2 pipelines and granting control over Opal pipeline to Gazprom against EU regulations (“European Court suspends European Commission and German regulator ruling to expand Gazprom access to Opal pipeline”),
– supply of German gas turbines to Crimea against sanctions of international community.

water man

Merkel ! open your eyes and see Mugabe of Simbave.Step down now and go home. Trump the great dont like you. I hope you got it.

Posted on 11/18/17 | 5:07 PM CET

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Posted on 11/18/17 | 9:11 PM CET

Simone Davis

The Greens will sacrifice a position of influence in government for the sake of wanting chain migration that will give Germany 1m new people on top of the 1.5m that Merkel has already delivered. For this reason the CDU must ditch Merkel and govern as a minority with the CDU.

Posted on 11/18/17 | 9:51 PM CET

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Posted on 11/18/17 | 10:36 PM CET

bc

@Justabrit
1/6
She should be prosecuted for breaching ‘rule of law’ first as Bundestag Scientific Office has determined that Merkel’s decision to open borders to immigrants from all over the world had no legal grounds.

Posted on 11/18/17 | 11:24 PM CET

bc

2/6
Apart from opening borders for immigrants without any legal grounds other scandals tolerated for years under her ‘leadership of the free world’ are:
– dieselgate and collusion among car producers posing a threat to health and lives of millions of EU citizens,

Posted on 11/18/17 | 11:24 PM CET

bc

3/6
– supporting authoritarian regime in Russia abusing human rights, oppressing opposition members and journalists, waging wars on neighbors and occupying foreign territories which is against EU principles and world community of democratic nations decisions:
“German foreign minister slams US sanctions against Russia”
“Angela Merkel has sharpened Germany’s attack on US plans to toughen American sanctions on Russia.”

bc

IsNoSmart

Swapping nuclear to brown coal, toying with open borders and hence losing much of electorate support have put the Eisenfrau against the wall. Damn, if her possible new coalition continued taking the same path. Even worse, if she had to a ask for a renewed mandate. Looks like she started exiting unvoluntarily.

Posted on 11/19/17 | 2:11 AM CET

Milton38

Wonderful democracy?
Here we have talks between parties who want (come hell or high water) to rule despite the fact that the four of them together represent just over half of the voter turnout.
And major positions that affect the majority of ‘non-newcomer’ Germans are dictated by parties that make just 10% of the voter turnout.
Have another election and another till there is a party that has just over 50% of all voters, voting or non-voting.
After all it is obvious that, oh shrek, the country keep running despite the fact that Greens/Lefts/Liberals etc ad nauseam are not doing anything.
Do they ever do anything? I mean constructive.

Posted on 11/19/17 | 9:43 AM CET

PdB

@Roland
‘A minority government can work just fine it’s far better then bending over to the Greens besides they are far better at being opposition then taking responsibility. Then suddenly their ideas come tumbling down to earth and they can’t deal with reality they need their safe space. Greens are like the party for the people who never grew up beyond the age of 12.’

One problem all green parties (in most countries) face is the fact that a significant part of their environmental concerns in the meantime have been incorporated into other (major) parties’ manifestos as well, environmental protection no longer being a major discernable factor per se.

Plus, the Realos have taken over from the Fundis, re-positioning their party more center than fringe.

Also, without having really followed the german greens closely in terms of Personalpolitik, i believe at present they lack personalities like Joschka and his ilk contribute to them appearing somehow lacking colour and distinction.

Posted on 11/19/17 | 10:59 AM CET

PdB

@Justabrit
“Angela Merkel is in a centre right party with conservative tendencies.
I don’t know what makes her a communist?”

The commenter most likely refers to her upbringing in the GDR / DDR. As if anybody having lived there had been a commnist. If we followed his ‘logic’, there wouldn’t exist communist parties in western democratic societies.

Posted on 11/19/17 | 11:03 AM CET

PdB

@Milton38
“Wonderful democracy?
Here we have talks between parties who want (come hell or high water) to rule despite the fact that the four of them together represent just over half of the voter turnout.
And major positions that affect the majority of ‘non-newcomer’ Germans are dictated by parties that make just 10% of the voter turnout.”

LOOOOL. The maybot is only still (allowed to remain) in office because of the votes of 10 DUPers ….. HER election result wasn’t exactly stellar as well.

Clean up your own back yard, sweetie, before you lash out on other countries and politicians.

Posted on 11/19/17 | 11:06 AM CET

PdB

@bc
” …. posing a threat to health and lives of millions of EU citizens,”

Sweetie, just relocate to the Falklands. You’re safe there. We will provide you with as many tinfoil hats as you will need.

HUGS!

Posted on 11/19/17 | 11:09 AM CET

bc

@PdB
So you should to send to Falklands also EU Parliament and US courts that targeted dieselgate scandal:
“European parliament draft inquiry into dieselgate has found EC ignored evidence of emissions test cheating.”

By the way – take a last chance to express free speech before ‘leader of the world’ introduces pan-EU soviet style censorship and starts throwing journalists into jail like Germany does:
– “Germany: Journalist Sentenced to Six Months Jail for Publishing Historic Photo”
– “Germany introduces draconian social media censorship”
– “Cologne puts Germany’s ‘lying press’ on defensive”
– “It’s not only Germany that covers up mass sex attacks by migrant men… Sweden’s record is shameful”

Posted on 11/19/17 | 2:31 PM CET

Milton38

@PdB
Reading and understanding what you read are difficult concepts to master.
But keep on trying.

Posted on 11/19/17 | 5:06 PM CET

YellowSubmarine

Apparently Theresa May is standing by the phone to give Merkel some advice on how to form a Government after a less than stellar election result. 😉

She can provide tips on closing deals with coalition partners, surviving ex ministers newspaper articles and government colleges who make the occasional gaff and even need sacking. All while dealing with a difficult foreign policy situation and an opposition party who think they won the last election.

It is a premium rate number, and a typical call could cost anything from £50 billion, but it has to be worth it ? to get a deal sorted and save the country.

Posted on 11/19/17 | 5:59 PM CET

PdB

@Milton38
“Reading and understanding what you read are difficult concepts to master.
But keep on trying.”

You try to read and understand what i READ? Hmmm yes, i understand. Thought Russia was more advanced in the highly interesting field of telepathy. Not surprised you have difficulties, though. Maybe remove the tinfoil wrapped around your noggin’ and trying to identify my intellectual wavelength???

Or should that have read ‘”Reading and understanding what you POST are difficult concepts to master.

???

Posted on 11/20/17 | 7:50 AM CET

PdB

@bc / Before Christ 😀
“So you should to send to Falklands also EU Parliament and US courts that targeted dieselgate scandal:
“European parliament draft inquiry into dieselgate has found EC ignored evidence of emissions test cheating.”

By the way – take a last chance to express free speech before ‘leader of the world’ introduces pan-EU soviet style censorship and starts throwing journalists into jail like Germany does:
– “Germany: Journalist Sentenced to Six Months Jail for Publishing Historic Photo”
– “Germany introduces draconian social media censorship”
– “Cologne puts Germany’s ‘lying press’ on defensive”
– “It’s not only Germany that covers up mass sex attacks by migrant men… Sweden’s record is shameful””

Sweetie, i will not make the efforts to look up the questionable sources of these headlines because – unlike you – i don’t read british gutter press, and null all of this rubbish by setting the facts straight.

Sorry to disappoint you – you’re not worth the time.

PS Diesel-fumes are a small hazard to your life expectation. Your lack of intelligence poses a far higher risk. I wonder how you manage to cross a street without being run over.

PPS ‘So you should to send to Falklands also EU Parliament and US courts that targeted dieselgate scandal:’

Please try again – in english, please. Quoting Sidney Toler in his Charlie Chan movies: “What is the meaning of this??” I fail to make any sense out of it.

Posted on 11/20/17 | 7:58 AM CET

Milton38

@PdB
Aha, intellectual wavelength.
Yes, I have problems understanding the wavelength issued by a shrimp brain.
But I understand from neurophysiologists that the brain is capable of forming new cells, even at your advanced age.
So don’t give up hope, soon you will be able to read simple grade 1 books; and perhaps even understand them.

And as you perhaps have noticed in the press, if it was not too difficult to understand, the situation predicted in my first comment has indeed come to pass.